Russia Ready for Aleppo 'Humanitarian Pause' as EU Urges 'Immediate Halt to Fighting'

Russia said on Thursday it was ready to halt fire for 48-hour periods in Aleppo from next week, following U.N. calls to extend humanitarian pauses to deliver aid.

"Russia's defense ministry is ready to support the proposal by U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura regarding the introduction of weekly 48-hour 'humanitarian pauses' (in Aleppo)," defense ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

"We are ready to implement the first 48-hour 'humanitarian pause' to deliver humanitarian aid to Aleppo residents as a 'pilot project' already next week in order to ensure safe cargo deliveries to the city's civilians."

"Specific dates and times will be determined after information regarding the readiness of humanitarian convoys is received from the U.N., as well as confirmation of safety guarantees from American partners," he said.

Russia last week declared it would hold three-hour pause in artillery fire and airstrikes daily around the ravaged Syrian city but the U.N. decried this as insufficient to help the approximately 1.5 million people in Aleppo.

Mistura insisted on a 48-hour halt, saying the logistics along mined and destroyed roads made access impossible in just three hours and endangered aid workers.

The special envoy welcomed Russia's support for his plan and called fur urgent action.

"Our plan is to collectively work out the operational details, and be ready for delivery as soon as possible," he said in a statement.

He added that the U.N. was counting on Russia to help ensure "the adherence of the Syrian armed forces to the pause, once it comes into effect."

He also urged "all those with access to or influence on the armed opposition, in particular the United States... to ensure that the armed opposition also respects the 48-hours humanitarian pause."

The European Union for its part on Thursday called for an "immediate halt" to fighting.

"The EU and its member states call for... an immediate halt to the fighting in Aleppo to allow medical evacuations, deliveries of aid and repairing of essential water and electricity infrastructure," EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

The call came as pictures of a young Syrian boy sitting in an ambulance covered in blood and dust after an air strike becomes a symbol of civilian suffering in Aleppo, drawing worldwide attention.

Mogherini, speaking on behalf of all 28 EU member states, called on all sides to "ensure the lifting of all sieges and allow sustained, countrywide humanitarian access to those in need."

At the same time, she said "all international actors" -- an apparent reference to long-time Assad ally Russia -- should abide by commitments taken by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in May to put a ceasefire in place to allow humanitarian aid in.

Russia launched a massive air campaign in September which has helped Assad regain control of key areas, especially in and around Aleppo.

Mogherini reiterated the EU believed there could be no peace without a "without a genuine political transition" -- that is, with Assad stepping down at some point in a negotiated settlement.